Trade unions have urged caution after Uber began offering Wayve autonomous taxi rides in London.
The Morning Star reports that rides in Wayve’s licensed autonomous vehicles were added to the Uber app, with a human safety driver still sitting in the front seat ready to take over.
Union concerns
App Drivers’ & Couriers’ Union general secretary Cristina-Georgiana Ioanitescu advised against using the service until the Department for Transport and Transport for London clarify the status of safety drivers and where liability sits if there is a collision, passenger illness or a critical decision.
GMB senior organiser David McMullen said ministers need to be careful with driverless rollouts or risk major social and economic disruption for driving jobs.
A TfL spokesperson said safety remains its top priority. The DfT directed comment to TfL.